England vs Iceland

England is regarded as a country of timeless beauty. Home to the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, it also revels in its quintessential English countryside comprising quaint villages and historical sights, which add to its character. A holiday in England is for the global traveller looking to experience the buzz of city life that’s balanced by the deep-rooted traditions and culture of the British.

Different in many ways, here’s what holidays in England or Iceland have to offer.

England

London: London is a city filled with character. Abuzz with excitement all through the year in spite of the occasional bouts of drab weather, the city is inviting in every way. London is home to some great shopping, eclectic nightlife and spectacular and historical monuments like the iconic clock tower Big Ben, the Buckingham Palace where the Royal family resides, the historical castle Tower of London with the nearby Tower Bridge, the Angelical St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, which serves as the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and British monarchs. Take a ride on the London Eye for a bird’s eye view of the city and also visit outdoor locations including Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park and Piccadilly Circus.

Manchester: Manchester city in northwest England has a legacy of being an industrial hub. However, the city has transformed itself over the years to become a hub for the arts and home to educational institutes. The Manchester Cathedral is a good place to start your tour. Dating back to 1215, the interiors boast of stained glass and intricate carvings. In the heart of the city, the Manchester Art Gallery houses a great selection of artworks. The Museum of Science and Industry in Castlefield is a great place to learn about the city’s industrial and scientific past. Also worth a visit are the University of Manchester, Heaton Park and Manchester Town Hall. Football fans must visit the City of Manchester Stadium, the home ground of Manchester City Football Club.

Brighton: Charismatic and captivating, that’s the English seaside town of Brighton for you. Aside from Brighton beach with its seafront bars, restaurants, nightclubs and recreational activities, there’s plenty to see here. Visit the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery with its innovative displays, the Royal Pavilion with royal artefacts and a collection of Regency silver gilt and Theatre Royal Brighton, which hosts musicals and West End productions.

How To Get There
Major international airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air India, Jet Airways and Qatar Airways operate direct and via flights from India to London. Check for available flights from your city here

Iceland

The Nordic island nation known as the Republic of Iceland is beautifully positioned between the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean. If you are among the lucky few, you might even spot the Northern Lights here. If this has not urged you enough to book your tickets to Iceland, let me tell you this region is one of the youngest landmasses of the world. The place is highly recommended for solo travellers because of its untouched beauty as it is the most sparsely populated country in Europe.

Iceland boasts of extreme geological contrasts with active volcanoes and hot water geysers on one hand and glaciers on the other. By virtue of this, it stands true to its name, The Land of Fire and Ice. Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland is one of the cleanest, greenest and safest cities in the world. With its colourful rooftops and busy streets, this city also hosts the Icelandic parliament house and an open air museum. While you are here, you will be spoiled for choices when it comes to thermal spas. The three national parks in Iceland, Snæfellsjökull, Vatnajökull and Þingvellir are a treat to the eyes and a nature lover’s delight.

When to go: The weather is quite unpredictable here, but if you want to tick the Northern Lights off your bucket list, pack your bags for February – March or September – October.

Where to Stay: You can choose from a host of budget hotels, bed and breakfasts and guest houses in Iceland. However if you’re an adventure junkie like me, get set to sleep under the stars in a mountain hut. 

 

Destination	London, England	Reykjavik, Iceland
Hotels (centrally located)	Rs. 6,800 (Standard room at Chrysos Hotel) Rs. 10,725 per night (Deluxe Single room at Park Grand London Hyde Park) Rs. 16,126 (Queen room at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London Westminster)	Rs. 8,300 (Standard Room at Hotel Gardur) Rs 12,200 (Standard Room at Park Inn, Reykjavik)
Meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner without alcohol)	Rs. 4,500 per day	Rs 2,000 per day
Local Transportation (public bus)	Rs. 250 per ticket	Rs 190 per bus ticket
Miscellaneous	Rs. 4,900 per day	Rs. 3000 per day

*All prices are approximate and subject to change.

Both England and Iceland are a traveller’s dream. With unique experiences that can’t be found elsewhere, your choice of deciding where to go is a challenging one. England is most certainly on the beaten path whereas Iceland​ isn’t and that’s what makes it intriguing.